By Marilyn Thomas
Hazel Livingston Tribute
Every year, the Lexington Woman’s Club, a volunteer service organization that has invested in the local community for nearly 70 years, sponsors an award to recognize a “Woman of Distinction.” Recently, Lexington’s mayor, Hazel Livingston, was the recipient of this notable accolade. In response to this award, she states, “I am deeply humbled and honored to have been chosen by the Lexington Woman’s Club as the Woman of Distinction for 2025–2026.”
“[I] had no idea I would be receiving such a special honor that evening at the Lexington Women’s Club meeting,” she recalls. “When my name was called, and I was presented with a dozen beautiful roses and an engraved crystal vase, I was truly surprised.”
In addition to being a female Lexington resident, the qualifications for this tribute include demonstrating outstanding character and leadership, and a loving commitment to serving the county, state, and community through personal and professional endeavors.
“The women of this organization quietly do so much for our community,” continues Mayor Livingston. “Their dedication, generosity, and servant hearts make a real difference in the lives of so many. To be recognized by a group of women who give so much of themselves to help others means more than I can express.”
One major event the Woman’s Club sponsors is a spring golf tournament that raises funds for those in need throughout the local area. Organizations they have supported through this activity and other volunteer work include Camp Kemo, Mission Lexington, Sexual Trauma Centers of the Midlands, Chris Myer’s Children’s Home, Samaritan’s Well, Lexington County Library, and local law enforcement agencies.
Mayor Livingston expresses her sincere gratitude to the Woman’s Club for this honor, and adds, “Thank you for all you do to make Lexington such a wonderful place to live, serve, and call home. I am grateful to be part of a community that cares so deeply for one another.”
Mayor Bill Danielson Appointment
If “two heads are better than one,” then certainly a group of thousands of municipal leaders meeting together to discuss concerning issues is a tremendously valuable resource. Such is the National League of Cities (NLC), a nonprofit organization that brings together those in leadership roles from cities, towns, and villages throughout the United States, with the common goal to improve the quality of life for those who dwell in their districts.
Within that umbrella organization is a smaller assembly known as the Small Cities Council, a networking subgroup specifically designed to attract officials from cities with populations of 50,000 or less. Irmo Mayor Bill Danielson was recently appointed to the NLC’s Small Cities Council.
“Being appointed to the NLC’s Small Cities Council is important because it ensures that towns like Irmo have a seat at the national table,” stated Mayor Danielson. “Our community’s challenges and opportunities are unique, and this Council gives us the ability to shape solutions, share best practices, and bring resources home that directly strengthen our local economy and quality of life.”
In November 2025, Mayor Danielson attended the NLC’s annual conference in Salt Lake City, along with thousands of other leaders from across the United States. While there, one of the intriguing ideas he learned about was a city drone program, which is an economical, high-tech public safety measure that employs drones in emergency situations. These drones, which are stationed on the roof of a police or fire facility, can be dispatched immediately to the scene and are able to capture critical information and relay it to the first responders before they even arrive. Several practical applications include tracking suspects, identifying weapons, locating missing children, and assessing a fire.
Annually, the NLC also hosts a threeday activity entitled the “Congressional City Conference” in Washington, D.C., where nearly 3,000 members gather. In addition to attending panel sessions where mayors from major cities share their experiences and insight, NLC members are also granted opportunities to speak with the congressional representatives of their region.
Mayor Danielson, who attended this momentous event, explains, “My primary reason for going up there was to meet with our elected officials that represent us here in the Midlands and the state.” Thus, he was able to have meaningful communications with key staff members of Representative Joe Wilson and Senators Tim Scott and Lindsey Graham. During the latter meeting, issues about earmarked funds for municipal projects were clarified, and as a result, Mayor Danielson is now confident that the groundbreaking for Irmo’s new town hall will commence this summer.
